Payne and Hyland at odds over condition of Sandown track

Michelle Payne was critical of the racing surface at SandownImage: Getty

Michelle Payne has taken to Twitter to criticise the condition of the Sandown track after it was rated a Good 3 for today's midweek metro meeting.

A Good 3 is not the typical track rating at this time of year and the Melbourne Cup-winning hoop had no hesitation in raising concerns over this, querying whether it was in the best interests of the horses to race on such surfaces.

"How are we racing on Good 3’s. Had two runners in June both on good 3’s. Track was not up to standard. Who’s accountable for this?" tweeted Payne.

How are we racing on Good 3’s. Had two runners in June both on good 3’s. Track was not up to standard. Who’s accountable for this?

Trackwalker Samuel Hyland caught wind of Payne's criticisms and was quick to chime in with his own assessment of the racing surface.

Track has not been rolled & from the two races I have seen they are getting the toe into it & kicking up like a Good 4,conditions are unusual for this time of year with a strong northerly hence went to a Good 3 #trackwalker

Veteran hoop Craig Williams - who incidentally rode a treble at the meeting - supported Hyland's earlier assessment, suggesting it was closer to a Good 4.

This isn't the first time that Payne has criticised the condition of a racing surface. In March last year she was fined $1500 for similar criticisms levelled at the Flemington racing surface, and her calls for then track manager Mick Goodie to be stood down.

She made the comment,admitted she made an error,copped a fine from the stewards,matter closed.Her comments were about a track condition.Seems most on this forum forgot that and made it all about character assassination.Gutless keyboard warriors,bet you wouldnt say it to her face.If you saw her in person you would turn into a bunch of dribblers.stick to the subject and dont deviate from it

Hey Placebo I take it you think I should give Michelle a little leeway? You're right, after all she has fallen off plenty and seen parts of the track I never have like the divits her head has created in the tracks. Maybe she is still a little concussed. Now do you suffer the same sort of brain injuries?

She wasn't at the races but found time to BBQ the track all the same. In other words, she didn't see it on the day but bagged it anyway. Is this real? To be honest it sound like she has gone for a 'break' by blaming the track. Maybe next time blame the horses. Just could be that they arn't good enough.

This young lass is starting to, no make that continuing to undo all the credits she got a few years ago. Someone should advise her to stop all of this rubbish and just do her job- which, before anyone suggests she is doing, is actually training horses and not whinging about the periphery's. Then again maybe she just doesn't have the capacity to absorb that message. Shame really.

Cmon RyanETibbie you've made a statement re a syndicator taking horses of her. Name names or do you hide behind a keyboard and the subject here is her opinion on track conditions not if she can train or not.By the way she has 2 brothers that train

Whatsinaname and flyinghooves I'm sure Michelle Pain has achieved much more in life than you 2 have, show some respect she's not a little girl or little thing and I wish this site wouldn't let sexist comments be published.

you people don't like the fact she won that cup,as a trainer she's entitled to her opinion on the state of these tracks her horses are competing on.she has already been unjustly fined and criticised for offering what proved to be a correct assessment of the care and condition of flemington. Mr Goodie has been replaced since.

michelle payne is very quickly destroying any credibility and fame she has built up in judging winning a melb cup. this is the third time she has criticised tracks since she became a trainer. how quickly she has forgotten that if not for the most bias flem track in the history of racing, she would not have won a melb cup. grow up little girl